Area schools win voter registration awards

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced a record high of 31 schools receiving the Carrie Chapman Award this year, given to schools where over 90% of eligible students are registered to vote. Hillcrest Academy in Kalona was among the award recipients, while Fairfield High School was recognized for exceeding 70% registration.

“I’m thrilled to see so many young people stepping up and taking the first step in the voting process by getting registered,” Pate said in a news release. “I tell young people all the time, the best way to make your voice heard is by voting, and to do that, you need to get registered.”

Hillcrest History Teacher Marcus Miller said he had set aside academic time teaching seniors how to register.

“Most of the seniors, I have in government class,” he said. “I do use some class time in government class … and then there’s always some kids that are very interested and some that are old enough to participate, and some are 17, so it’s getting them to think about it.”

For the small private school in Kalona, exceeding 90% meant meeting or exceeding 18 of the 20 eligible seniors. A total of 19 managed to register this year.

While being a smaller school has its advantages for the award, Miller said it heightened the chance that one or two forgetful students might throw things off.

“We had a kid last year (who) didn’t have access to any records,” he said. “It was a process to get him included, because we needed him to meet the 90% quota. You realize that we don’t always make it easy for people.”

Miller said the project was important to him personally as well.

“I try to get across to the students that we’re in a democracy, and democracies don’t work if people don’t participate,” he said. “If young people don’t vote, if people don’t vote in general, it weakens a democracy. And so I like to encourage the kids to participate … studies have shown and Paul Pate’s office could tell you that if students are registered and actually vote that first time, they’re much more likely to continue voting.”

Fairfield High School was also recognized by the state, coming in at 70% registration among students eligible to vote.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com